You Should Buy Winter Ski Passes Before Labor Day
Being a free spirit who “goes with the flow” and doesn’t plan trips or events is often seen as a proper (and fun) way of life. But many of us just can’t live like that; we know that a thoughtful lifestyle has its benefits. First, if you can afford to think about the snowy slopes even when it’s still sweaty outside, you can save almost half the price of your ski passes – if you buy them now, before Labor Day hits September 4th.
Why you need a ski pass and not a lift ticket
When people ski for the first time, people realize that it would be cheaper to get a ski pass than an individual lift ticket. A ski pass can save you money even if you’re only planning to ski for one day, as they often offer plenty of options.
One of the most popular ski passes is the Epic Pass , which gives you the chance to ski at several resorts across the country. Prices for the 2023-2024 season will increase on September 4th. If you buy them now, you can lock in lower prices of $48 for adults and $24 for kids per day for the entire winter. Obviously, the more days you buy, the cheaper your prices per day will be.
Epic Pass Options
There are several Epic Pass options to choose from. Choosing the best option for you will depend on your location, whether you plan to ski or not, and how often you plan to ski. The most popular options are:
- Epic Local Pass: This pass is available to both travelers and locals. The Epic Local Pass is the best option for those who don’t plan on skiing on the busiest days like holidays or peak periods (24-25 Nov 2023; 26-31 Dec 2023; 13 Jan) . , 2024 and February 17–18, 2024). You will get unlimited access to many US mountains and some overseas opportunities. The local pass sells for $689 for adults, $359 for children ages 5 to 12, and $558 for teens ages 13 to 18.
- Epic Pass : This is the whole package. You get access to more resorts and mountains than a local pass, without any day restrictions. The pass is $929 for people 13 and older, $473 for kids 5 to 12, and kids under 4 can ski for free.
- Pick Specific Mountains: If you live near certain mountains and don’t plan to travel to other areas this winter, it’s best to buy passes for those specific locations. There are also regional pass options if you want to travel within your region. Prices will vary for each mountain and region; for $567 you have access to ski all winter in all 21 mountains of the northeast.
- Epic Day Pass: If you’re not an avid skier but still want to take advantage of the prices, the day pass is your best bet. You can choose a certain number of ski days and only pay for them. Day pass prices start at $49 for limited ski resorts (Midwest, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania). If that limits you too much, you can pay $80 a day for additional ski resorts, or $104 a day for access to all of the slopes at Vail Resort and their partner resorts.
How to save with an Epic Pass
A one-day walk pass can cost upwards of $200 a day at some Epic Pass-included resorts, so the savings are significant right now. Keep in mind also that there are other discount options for current students, retirees and military personnel, seniors and people with permanent disabilities.